The big M

Monday, April 29, 2013

I was sitting at work today, hunched over my computer and feeling very Mondayish. If you don't know what I mean by Mondayish, run away and play in the traffic, do. The only thing on my mind was concentrating on the 'to do' list (first getting it written and then getting it done).

Suddenly, I started to feel Not Right. Even by Monday's standards, not brilliant. Bit of a temperature developing, etc. I mentioned this to the colleague next to me who suggested I might be going down with something. 'I'd better not,' I said tersely. Busy busy busy, things to do. Opened the window to let in fresh air. Started to feel better quite quickly.

In fact half an hour later, felt more or less back to normal. Medium for Monday you might say.

Then it hit me. Oh yes. The thing I've been expecting, for close on 10 years appears to have manifested itself this morning, Monday 29 April 2013, in the form of a hot flush.

Oh what fresh hell is this? I'd actually convinced myself I was going to be one of the lucky few who sail through the menopause without noticing it. I'd had a few symptoms, more of the general ageing kind: wrinkly neck, nonspecific sagginess, dodgy blood pressure. Nothing definite though. Then my temperature goes stratospheric for half an hour and comes back down on its own.

KIMALEE54
Got a good chuckle out of this blog. I had a similar incident at work and ran out to the 2nd hand store to find a pair of shorts and a tank top so I could change out of my trousers and long-sleeved blouse. Rather alarming, isn't it ?!?

SJKENT1
Windows are a must have. My hubby and I meet with a group of people for weekly bible study and one of the gals brought each of the ladies a hand fan for those moments of heat. The fan is quite lovely and works great. It really helps. One of the gals has a small one that she keeps in her purse.

Those women from long ago, knew what works during "those" times.

If you ever get a chance to see Menopause- The Musical. Do go-- it's a hoot and very, very relevant!!1847 days ago

PROVERBS31JULIA
Fairly sure I'm in the big M, not quite reached my year, and never really had an obvious hot flash. I'll be "hot" at times but there always a logical other explanation (temperature is warm in room, too many blankets at night, dehydrated, etc.

A thought - next time you get the HF, just tell yourself you are having a "private tropical vacation"!

LAURIETAIT
I feel your pain. My worst symptoms (night sweats without the sweats part) only lasted for 8-10 months. There is light at the end of this tunnel without a thermostat. Hang in threre.1847 days ago

MILLEDGE2
It has been awhile ago for me, but I certainly sympathize with the hot flashes! The thing that really forced me to work with a physician was that my sleep was being disturbed. Etc., etc.

But let me assure you, this MAY be the beginning of the road toward feeling better than you ever have before. I REJOICE that periods are only a memory. What I hadn't realized was all the collateral ways that cycles were making me feel not-so-good: headaches, slightly blue moods, big fluctuations in retention of fluids. After the fact, I find that feeling good on a given day is much more related to things I'm actually doing to bring that about (sleep, exercise, sunshine, etc.) than hormones.

Good luck and keep good thoughts! It may take awhile to work through all this, but it is the beginning of a freedom you hadn't imagined! 1848 days ago

CAMAEL100
I relate!!! Have had a few 'moments' recently! I too thought I would sail through without any symptoms so have been attributing the 'warm glows' to anything else I can think of!! I may have to give in soon!!

Any eating better and exercising has to make it easier on us! Doesn't it?????????1848 days ago

PAMNANGEL
I had been looking forward to the Change for years. Finally started last year! Yay! Only had TOM twice since August. Double Yay! Every now and then I feel my personal thermostat rise for a time. Doesn't last long thank goodness! The forgetfulness is my biggest issue. Always been a little absent minded. Now the Mental Pause is much more...mmm, what was I saying?1848 days ago

BONIFIANT
Wishing you well and hoping that you will be one of those lucky ladies who essentially sails right through the whole process with little "excitement" and very few "personal summers" as one of my daughters refers to hot flashes.1848 days ago

JIBBIE49 Great seeing your blog featured in the Spark Mail. What an honor.

Went to my doctor at 48 for a yearly physical & mentioned I was having problems holding my bladder since I'd had five children. He told me he could do surgery & if I wanted he'd do a total hysterectomy. I said "Great, I don't want cervical cancer, ovarian cancer which killed Madeline Kahn, or uterine cancer." So I had it done along with a repair of my "insides" from a nine pound baby that was born face up after three hours of pushing. The surgery took six hours. So, the next day I started on HRT and never ever had a "hot flash" or any other symptoms. I know others don't agree with HRT but I took it for 14 yrs and felt great along with Prozac, that just made me feel "normal." 1848 days ago

ONTHEPATH2
Welcome to the club!!! I jokingly say now I know why women lose their minds in menopause. You never get any sleep! Between being hot, then drenched with sweat and shivering, and getting up to pee.... sleep is over rated anyhow, right!

I am sure you will find the solution that works for you! And be relieved - it doesn't last forever! This too shall pass! 1848 days ago

ITSALWAYSABTME
Mom calls me her "Hot Blooded" one. I have always been "hot" the temperature is never cool enough for me. I sleep with my window ac unit @ 60* and still wake up with hot flashes. Not menopausal yet, but my doctor said I could go early. I am afraid LOL 1849 days ago

CJYOUCANDOIT
I am the hot flash queen. Covers on-Covers off; jacket on-jacket off. I have learned to dress in layers, drink lots of ice water, and have something to fan myself with at all times.

I did not enter this stage gracefully. It started with breast cancer and is intensified by tamoxifen that I have to take. I am almost done with it. The doctor has given me Effexor which helps. Black cohash is a natural help with hot flashes. Hormone Replacement Therapy is helpful as well. If you are just at the beginning of this you may want to check with your doctor to see what is right for you.